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Is AMC Creating a Zombie Origin Story?

A “Walking Dead” spinoff could introduce viewers to the beginning of the apocalypse.

AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) should make its planned 2015 spinoff of The Walking Dead a prequel, Fool contributor Tim Beyers says in the following video

TV Line first reported the rumor of a prequel, citing "increasing buzz" that the new show will focus on the early days of the zombie outbreak and bet set in an entirely different part of the world. There's merit to such a plan, Tim says.

Think of the potential for addressing unanswered questions. What might patient zero have been like? Has the outbreak accelerated in the world we know from the current TV show? Were there ever successful efforts at containing the epidemic? Even if Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman sees the two series as distinct, a prequel could give the properties common ground to build off of while making the entire narrative more frightening.

Do you agree? Or would you rather leave the horror of the world in which The Walking Dead exists to the imagination of viewers? Please watch the video to get Tim's full take and then leave a comment to let us know what you think.

Author

Tim Beyers first began writing for the Fool in 2003. Today, he's an analyst for Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova. At Fool.com, he covers disruptive ideas in technology and entertainment. Find him online at timbeyers.me or send email to tbeyers@foolcontractors.com. For more insights, follow Tim on Twitter.